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New Prescot business wins a shop thanks to One Ark

Published on: Tuesday, 11-March-2014

A new furniture shop will be opening in Prescot Shopping Centre
thanks to a local charity’s campaign to support
entrepreneurship. Late last year One Ark, part of the First
Ark Group, launched a competition to support a local retailer by
providing a unit rent-free for a year.

Grace Lea, a furniture upcycling and restoration business, will
open its doors on 1st June 2014. As the brainchild of
Knowsley-based owner Cheryl Mullins, Grace Lea will sell a range of
high quality restored vintage furniture and bespoke items at
affordable prices. As the furniture will be restored on site,
Cheryl will also host workshops from the unit, which will teach
others the skills they need to upcycle their own smaller items.

Following a three-stage process, Cheryl beat off competition
from 25 other business owners to win the space in the shopping
centre. Her business will now benefit from a 12 month
rent-free period, full refurbishment of the premises which will be
completed by Vivark, and structured business advice and support
from the Merseyside Special Investment Fund, The Women’s
Organisation and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
Cheryl also wins membership of Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.

Laura McCumiskey from One Ark was one of the first to
congratulate Cheryl: “When Cheryl met with the panel of judges she
blew us away with her enthusiasm and entrepreneurship.

“We were searching for a unique, independent retailer to add
value to our high street, and Cheryl’s business plan was robust and
showed talent. Grace Lea, which will occupy a unit that’s
been empty for three years, will be a welcome addition to the
shopping centre.”

Owner Cheryl Mullins adds: “This is an amazing opportunity for
me to be able to get my business up and running and provide for my
family.

“To be able to operate rent-free for a year will enable me to
focus on establishing and growing the business rather than worrying
about covering such a large overhead. I’m looking forward to
learning from the self-employment support and developing my
business, while at the same time being able to give something back
to the community too.”

One Ark’s ‘Win a Shop’ project supports the regeneration of
local high streets through championing new enterprise and
supporting the journey into self-employment. The project was
initiated by One Ark in partnership with Knowsley Chamber of
Commerce, Vivark, CBRE, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, The
Women’s Organisation, Prescot Town Team, Poco Coffee and Sergeants
Accountants.

One Ark was launched in August 2013 to change the lives of
people in Knowsley through generating investment which will be
channelled into increasing wealth and creating stronger
communities. To find out more about One Ark, please visit
www.one-ark.co.uk.